In a manufacturing method for fuel cell separators having a seal part of convex shape that is pushed when superimposed with another separator, the method includes: a first pressing step of imparting work hardening to an entire region to become a convex shape configuring the seal part; and a second pressing step of press molding the region work hardened in the first pressing step so as to become a convex shape.

A glass coating composition for a fuel cell gasket is described. The coating comprises: a glass component effective to form an alkaline solution in the presence of an equivalent amount of water by weight, a binder component, a liquid carrier which is greater than 50% by volume: water, and a retarder effective to inhibit hardening of the composition. The glass coating composition is particularly useful in fuel cell gaskets and provides improved resistance to solidification in an aqueous dispersion.

A glass coating composition for a fuel cell gasket is described. The coating comprises: a glass component effective to form an alkaline solution in the presence of an equivalent amount of water by weight, a binder component, a liquid carrier which is greater than 50% by volume: water, and a retarder effective to inhibit hardening of the composition. The glass coating composition is particularly useful in fuel cell gaskets and provides improved resistance to solidification in an aqueous dispersion.

Herein disclosed is a method of making a fuel cell including forming an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte using an additive manufacturing machine. The electrolyte is between the anode and the cathode. Preferably, electrical current flow is perpendicular to the electrolyte in the lateral direction when the fuel cell is in use. Preferably, the method comprises making an interconnect, a barrier layer, and a catalyst layer using the additive manufacturing machine.

A fuel cell stack is provided that includes a top end plate, a bottom end plate, a plurality of fuel cells provided between the top end plate and the bottom end plate, at least one bipolar plate, a plurality of hollow fasteners, and a plurality of sleeves. Each of the at least one bipolar plate is formed between two of the plurality of fuel cells. The plurality of hollow fasteners and the plurality of sleeves extend through holes in each of the top end plate, the bottom end plate, the plurality of fuel cells and the at least one bipolar plate. Each of the plurality of sleeves surrounds one of the plurality of hollow fasteners. Each of the plurality of hollow fasteners comprises a top surface, a hole in the top surface, a side surface, and a plurality of holes formed in the side surface.

A fuel cell stack is provided that includes a top end plate, a bottom end plate, a plurality of fuel cells provided between the top end plate and the bottom end plate, at least one bipolar plate, a plurality of hollow fasteners, and a plurality of sleeves. Each of the at least one bipolar plate is formed between two of the plurality of fuel cells. The plurality of hollow fasteners and the plurality of sleeves extend through holes in each of the top end plate, the bottom end plate, the plurality of fuel cells and the at least one bipolar plate. Each of the plurality of sleeves surrounds one of the plurality of hollow fasteners. Each of the plurality of hollow fasteners comprises a top surface, a hole in the top surface, a side surface, and a plurality of holes formed in the side surface.

An assembly includes an SOEC/SOFC-type solid oxide stack, a clamping system for clamping the stack, including at least two clamping rods that can be used to assemble upper and lower clamping plates, and a coupling system for high-temperature fluid-tight coupling of the stack to a heating system for supplying and discharging gas. The coupling system includes a collector with collection ducts for supplying and discharging gas, each provided with a collecting port positioned facing a corresponding communication port of at least one of the upper and lower clamping plates, and seals each placed between a collecting port and a corresponding communication port.

An assembly includes an SOEC/SOFC-type solid oxide stack, a clamping system for clamping the stack, including at least two clamping rods that can be used to assemble upper and lower clamping plates, and a coupling system for high-temperature fluid-tight coupling of the stack to a heating system for supplying and discharging gas. The coupling system includes a collector with collection ducts for supplying and discharging gas, each provided with a collecting port positioned facing a corresponding communication port of at least one of the upper and lower clamping plates, and seals each placed between a collecting port and a corresponding communication port.

The present invention relates to compositions in the form of precursor glass powders, pastes and preforms comprising said precursor glass powders and glass-ceramics produced from the precursor glass powders, pastes or preforms. The present invention also relates to a method of forming a seal between a first and second material with a glass-ceramic, and a joint comprising a first material, a second material and a glass-ceramic sealing material joining the first and second materials together.

A glass ceramic seal is formed from a precursor material that includes from 80 mol % to 100 mol % of a primary component containing, on an oxide basis, from 25 mol % to 55 mol % SiO.sub.2, from 20 mol % to 45 mol % CaO, from 5 mol % to 30 mol % MgO, and from 0 mol % to 15 mol % Al.sub.2O.sub.3.